What do you do when you’re forced to choose between your health and your career? That’s the tough choice Vanessa Johnson faced when a moldy workplace cost Vanessa her health as well as her job. Vanessa shares how she approached her employer and ultimately decided to make healthy changes with the help of the ADA. Tune in for valuable tips on navigating the workplace with mold illness and discover the steps Vanessa is taking to heal from CIRS.
Episode Highlights:
- Vanessa shares her story about becoming sick from mold exposure at work and how she approached her employer about her symptoms. (1:33)
- Vanessa explains how raising concerns about her work environment led to her employer treating her differently, and what she did next. (8:45)
- Vanessa discusses what happened after she left, and how she approached looking for a new job while taking her mold illness into consideration. (15:03)
- Vanessa shares which accommodations she requested and how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) came into play. (17:40)
- Vanessa shares which treatments and behaviors have helped her to heal, and how her day-to-day life has changed. (22:25)
To read a transcript of this interview, click here.
To read a follow-up article written by Vanessa Johnson, click here.
LINKS MENTIONED IN OUR INTERVIEW:
Mayo Clinic Research: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/09/990910080344.htm
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): www.cdc.gov/niosh/index.html
Interviews with health practitioners: www.changetheairfoundation.org/health-focused/
Change the Air Summit: www.changetheairsummit.org
Sign up for our newsletter: ChangeTheAirFoundation.org/stay-informed/